Legislation

This resolution supports the use of distributed ledger technologies (DLT) like blockchain to strengthen democratic governance, human rights, transparency, and sustainability. It urges U.S. agencies to explore and support DLT applications, promote its use to combat censorship, and engage with experts to develop ethical regulations and policies. The resolution emphasizes DLT's potential to enhance government accountability, secure data, and improve aid distribution, while also calling for further research and investment in DLT to benefit the public and democratic institutions.

The Salary Transparency Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, making it unlawful for employers to not disclose wage ranges in job postings and to applicants/employees upon request. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees or applicants who exercise their rights under this act. Violators may face civil penalties and be liable for damages to affected employees or applicants.

This bill allocates funds for the operating expenses of various House of Representatives committees during the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, setting specific amounts for each committee. It also establishes spending limitations for the first and second sessions of the Congress and a reserve fund for unanticipated expenses, all while mandating adherence to House Administration Committee regulations and voucher-based payments. The Committee on House Administration is authorized to make necessary adjustments to funding amounts.

The "District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act" prohibits the District of Columbia from acting as a sanctuary jurisdiction by preventing local entities from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities or complying with federal detainment requests. An exception is provided for policies protecting victims and witnesses of crimes.

The BODEGA Act of 2025 amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, expanding the use of grant funds to include the installation of panic buttons and surveillance equipment in private businesses, specifically targeting businesses classified under the North American Industrial Classification Code 445131, such as bodegas and other small grocery stores. This act aims to enhance the safety and security of these businesses by providing them with resources to deter crime and protect their owners and employees.

The "Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025" establishes a multi-agency task force (JTFISN) to coordinate and lead U.S. efforts against illicit synthetic narcotics, including investigating and prosecuting trafficking crimes, and addressing the role of foreign entities like China in the opioid crisis. The JTFISN will develop strategic plans, improve interagency collaboration, and share information to disrupt synthetic drug trafficking networks. The task force is prohibited from targeting individuals for personal drug use or low-level dealing without ties to larger networks.

The VOTE Act would require all election ballots to be printed in English only. States that provide ballots in languages other than English would be prohibited from receiving federal funds to administer federal elections. The act would eliminate provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that previously prohibited English-only elections.

This resolution celebrates the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, reaffirming the democratic ideals shared between the United States and Greece. It recognizes the historical ties, strategic alliance, and growing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in energy and security. The resolution also acknowledges the contributions of the Greek-American community and Greece's role in promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

The NATO Edge Act modifies the requirements for the President to withdraw the United States from NATO, stipulating that all NATO members not meeting the 2% GDP defense spending target must commit to doing so within 5 years before withdrawal can occur. It also requires either a two-thirds Senate approval or an act of Congress for any decision to withdraw from NATO. The Act empowers the Senate Legal Counsel or the House General Counsel to challenge any non-compliant withdrawal attempts in federal court. These modifications will sunset on September 30, 2033.

The GIFT Act of 2025, or "Guaranteeing Individual Fairness in Transplants Act of 2025," amends the Social Security Act to ensure that hospitals, critical access hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals do not consider a patient's vaccination status when determining organ transplant eligibility. This bill aims to prevent discrimination based on vaccination status in the organ transplant selection process.

The "Affordable Loans for Students Act" sets the interest rate for existing eligible federal student loans to 2.0 percent, either through modification or refinancing, and sets the interest rate for new federal student loans disbursed after the bill's enactment to 2.0 percent. The bill requires the Secretary of Education to establish a program to modify existing federal student loans held by the Secretary to a 2.0 percent interest rate and refinance other eligible federal student loans into Federal Direct Consolidation Loans at a 2.0 percent interest rate, without automatically extending the repayment period. It also mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the number of borrowers affected and their repayment status.

The "Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025" directs the Attorney General to develop and report on a program within the Department of Justice to provide modern treatments or preventative care for job-related PTSD and acute stress disorder to public safety officers and telecommunicators. The program should include access to trauma-informed care, peer support, counseling, and family support via in-person and telehealth services. The report must include draft grant conditions to ensure the confidentiality of public safety officers seeking care, methods for efficient program administration at all levels, draft legislative language to authorize each program, and estimated annual appropriations needed for each program. The Attorney General must consult with relevant agencies at all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.

The American Cargo for American Ships Act requires that 100% of the gross tonnage of equipment, materials, or commodities that are directly procured, contracted, or financed by the Department of Transportation be transported on privately-owned U.S. commercial vessels, ensuring fair participation of U.S. vessels in government-related cargo transport. This requirement applies if these vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates.

The "Caring for Survivors Act of 2025" increases dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes the calculation of benefits to be based on 55 percent of a specified monthly compensation rate and includes a provision to ensure those receiving benefits based on a veteran's death before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of their current amount or the newly calculated amount. The Act also modifies the requirements for survivor benefits related to veterans who die while having a total disability rating, reducing the required period of disability from 10 to 5 years, and proportionally reducing benefits for those rated totally disabled for less than 10 years.

The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 adjusts Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment in areas without competitive bidding by extending a transition rule for setting payment rates in non-rural areas through 2025 and delaying the implementation of another regulation until 2026. This ensures continued use of existing payment rate calculations for durable medical equipment in non-competitive bidding areas. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to implement these changes.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified military spouses as eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit, incentivizing employers to hire them. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This change applies to amounts paid and individuals starting work after the Act's enactment.

**Saving Privacy Act:** This bill aims to reform financial privacy laws by restricting government access to personal financial records, terminating the Consolidated Audit Trail, and preventing the creation of a central bank digital currency. It also increases Congressional oversight of agency rulemaking and strengthens penalties for unlawful acquisition or disclosure of financial records, while raising the reporting threshold for third-party payment networks. The "Keep Your Coins Act" within this bill protects the right to use virtual currencies for personal transactions without undue restrictions.

The "Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act" eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. This bill amends the Social Security Act to expedite access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring quicker access to essential care and support.

The Nationally Enhancing the Well-being of Babies through Outreach and Research Now Act, or NEWBORN Act, aims to reduce infant mortality by establishing pilot programs in high-risk areas. These programs will offer outreach, education, and improved access to healthcare and social services for at-risk mothers and infants. The Act prioritizes entities serving counties with the highest infant mortality rates and those addressing key risk factors like birth defects and preterm birth. It authorizes $10 million annually from 2025-2029 for these initiatives.

The "Pay Our Military Act" ensures that members of the Armed Forces, including reserves, receive their pay and allowances during any period when regular appropriations are not in effect. It also covers civilian employees and contractors of the Department of Defense who support these service members. The appropriations are available until a regular appropriation bill is enacted, a continuing resolution is passed without funding for this purpose, or until January 1, 2026. The act defines key terms related to military service and personnel for clarity.